After Placement of Dental Implants

Do not disturb the wound.  Avoid rinsing, spitting, or touching the wound on the day of surgery.  There may be a metal healing abutment protruding through the gingival (gum) tissue.

Bleeding

Some bleeding or redness in the saliva is normal for 24 hours.  Excessive bleeding (your mouth fills rapidly with blood) can be controlled by biting on a gauze pad placed directly on the bleeding wound for 30-60 minutes.  If profuse bleeding continues despite gauze pressure,  please call our office for further instructions.

Swelling

Swelling is a normal occurrence after surgery.  To minimize swelling apply an ice bag, or a plastic bag or towel filled with ice, on the cheek in the area of surgery. Apply the ice intermittently (20-30 minutes on, 20-30 minutes off), as much as possible, for the first 24 hours.   You do not need to do this overnight.   

Diet

Drink plenty of fluids.  Avoid hot liquids or food as this can cause additional bleeding.  Soft food and liquids should be eaten on the day of surgery.  Return to a normal diet as soon as possible unless otherwise directed, try to chew away from your new implant.  

Pain

You should begin taking pain medication as soon as you feel the local anesthetic wearing off.  For mild to moderate pain, over the counter analgesics taken according to the directions on the label are usually sufficient.  For severe pain,  you may be prescribed medication which should be taken as directed.  Do not take any of the above medication if you are allergic to them, or have been instructed by your doctor not to take it.

Antibiotics

Be sure to take the prescribed antibiotics as directed to help prevent infection.  There is some evidence that antibiotics can contribute to the success of your new implant.  

Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is essential to good healing.  The night following your surgery, try to avoid rinsing.  The following morning you should start using the prescribed Peridex Oral Mouthrinse twice daily; after breakfast and before bed.  Be sure to GENTLY rinse for at least 30 seconds then spit it out.  Warm salt water rinses (one teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water) should be used at least 4-5 times a day as well, especially after meals.  Brush your teeth and the healing abutments.  Be gentle initially while brushing the surgical areas.  Some slight bleeding from the area is to be expected is is not a cause for concern. 

Sutures

Most implants will require sutures (stitches) to hold the gums in place for a 24-48 hours after the procedure.  In most cases these are dissolvable, and will start to come undone in a few days.  Try not to disturb the wound by tugging/pulling on them.  Occasionally, non-dissolvable sutures will be used and your surgeon will remove these at your follow up visit.  

Activity

Keep physical activities to a minimum immediately following surgery. If you exercise, throbbing or bleeding may occur. If this occurs, you should discontinue exercising.  Keep in mind that you may not be getting your normal nourishment, and this may further limit your ability to exercise.

Wearing your Prosthesis

Partial dentures, flippers, or full dentures, should not be used immediately after surgery and replacing such items should be discussed with you attending surgeon  either at the  pre-operative consultation or prior to discharge.